Fluid filtering apparatus



April 20, 1937. c. H. cuNo E-r Al. 2,077,744

FLUID FILTERING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 8, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 figg.-

INVENTORS CHARLES I'I. CUNo, AND PHILIP E. AsHToN,

April 20, 1937. c. H. cuNo Er A1. 2,077,744

FLUID FILTERING APPARATUS Filed Jan, 8, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 lllllilh BY m ATroRNEY April 20, 1937. C, CUNO ET AL 2,077,744

FLUID FILTERING APPARATUS Filed Jan. s, 19.35 s sneets-sneet's INVENTORS CHARLES H. CUNQ,AND PHllp E. ASHTON,

ATTORNEY Patented Apr. zo, 1937 FLUID FILTERING APPARATUS harles H. Cuno and Philip E. Ashton, Meriden, Conn., assignors to The Cuno Engineering Corporation, Meriden, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut `Application January s, 1935, serial No. 821

8 Claims.

Our invention relates particularly to filters or strainers used in connection with various types of power devices such as motors or engines for filtering or straining iiuids in connection therewith and this application is a partial continuation from our application Serial Number 627,546 led August 5, 1932 now Patent 1,987,597 issued January 15, 1935.

Filters of the type shown in Cuno Patent 1,657,346 and Fulcher Patent 1,414,120 provide highly satisfactory means for filtering fluids under such circumstances. Filters may be used for ltering either the lubricating oil supply, the fuel supply, the cooling medium or other fluid. In the course of the use of such filters it is necessary to clean the filtering members. Such cleaning can be effected by producing relative movement between the filtering plates and the socalled scrapers. It is, of course, possible to eifect this movement by hand but in some cases it is highly desirable to provide for the automatic cleaning action either with or without means for manual operation.

We have discovered that a very simple device can be provided for automatically cleaning filters by means of fluid pressure developed for instance from the forced feed cooling system or from the oil circulating system of a motor or engine.

When the engine is running there is, of course, a substantial pressure built up in the circulating system and we have accordingly designed means for utilizing this condition for moving one of the elements of the filter so as to clean it.

Fig. 1 is a side View showing an internal combustion engine with one form of lter and actuating means connected to the coolant system.

Fig. 2 is a side View and partial section showing the filter and actuating mechanism embodying our invention, the section being approximately on theline 2-2 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section and plan view of parts shown in. Fig. 2.

Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are detail sectional views showing other modified forms of devices for ino termittently effecting the cleaning action ofthe filter.

Fig. 9 is a pian view of a modication of the device utilizing a continuous iiow motor and parts being broken away.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view on the plane of the line 'I0- III of Fig. 9. fi Fig. 11 is a sectional view on the plane of the line II-II of Fig. 9..

Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view of Aparts of the device of Figs. 9 to 11.

(Cl. 21o-167) Our invention also covers devices for automatically cleaning filters on internal combustion engines for such purposes as lubricating oil, fuels, cooling mediums and any other fluids used in connection with internal combustion engines.

In the form shown the lter comprises a casing 9 with a head I0. These parts will usually be detachably connected together for convenience in installation, inspection and repair. The filter casingV has inlet and outlet pipes II and I2 and the fluid to be filtered passes through the chamber I3. Such a casing also forms a sump having an outlet cap I4.

The filter proper in this form consists of a Series of perforated plates I spaced apart from each other and supported on a central shaft I6. The fluid to be filtered passes usually inward between the peripheries of these plates and outward longitudinally of the axis in the manner set forth in the Cuno Patent 1,657,346 and the- Fulcher Patent 1,414,120. Scraping fingers I1 are mounted on a post I8 and are adapted to project into the spaces between the lter plates so that when the filter plates are rotated with respect to the stationary Scrapers material which is collected on or near the edges of the plates will be scraped oif and fail down into the bo'ttom of the casing.

The housing 20 surrounds one end of the shaft I6 and the shaft is provided with a hub 2| within the housing surrounded by a disc 22, which is mounted to oscillate back and forth about the hub. A one-Way clutch or ratchet is interposed between the disc 22 and the shaft I6. In the form shown the disc is provided with one or more notches with inclined walls 23.

Balls or 'rollers 24 are pressed by springs 25 (see Fig. 4) into the spaces between the inclined walls 23 and the outer periphery of the hub 2l so that when the disc 22 is rotated clockwise the balls or rollers 24 wedge into the spaces between the outer Wall of the hub 2I and the inclined walls 23 so that the rotation of the disc 22 is transmitted to the hub 2l and the shaft I6 of the filter plates. When the disc 22 rotates counter-clockwise the balls or rollers 24 tend to work back and no motion is transmitted from the disc 22 to the shaft I6.

Within the housing is mounted a plate or vane 26 which extends radially from the disc 22 and has a wall 21 which ts within the housing 20 so as to provide a chamber 28 which is substantially fluid-tight. A spring 29 tends to press the plate 26 toward the wall 30. The shaft I6 is free to be turned anti-clockwise by hand if desired. 'I'he 45 ner outlined above.

outer end of the chamber 23 is closed by a plate 3| suitably held in position.

A pipe 32 connects the chamber 23 of the housing 20 with the cooling system of the internal 5 combustion engine which is provided with the motor driven pump 33 for the cooling medium.

When the engine is not running there is no pressure in the cooling system or in pipe 32 or chamber 29 so that the pressure of the spring 29 holds the vane 29 against the wall 39. When the engine is started pressure is produced in the pipe 32 and chamber 29 which is sumcient to overcome the pressure of the spring 29 and turn the disc 22 anti-clockwise without rotating the shaft I9 of the filter.

When the motor stops or when the pump 33 stops and pressure falls in the circulating system the spring 29 turns the vane 29 clockwise.

This motion of the vane carries the clutch plate or disc 22 with it in a clockwise direction and the balls or rollers 244 pressed by the springs roll inwardly between the hub 2I and the sloping walls 23 until they are wedged against the hub and act as a one-way clutch so that the hub 25 and shaft I9 rotate with the plate. 'I'he shaft being thus turned causes a. relative motion between the filter plates I5 and the scraping fingers I1 which' removes accumulated dirt from between the plates and allows it to fall to the bottom of the illter casing 9.

As the pump is started again the pressure in the pipe 32 and chamber 29 increases and overcomes the spring 29, the vane 29 is pushed in a counter-clockwise direction carrying the plate 35 and clutch parts with it and allowing the hub and shaft to remain in their advanced position, the

vane coming to rest against the spring or any stop. When the pump stops the spring 29 again acts to turn the vane 29, the clutch and the cleaner shaft I 9.

These movements are repeated intermittently during the operation of the engine whenever conditions demand changes of pressure oi sufficient magnitude to affect thel clutch in the man- Obviously the spring and clutch could be so designed that pressure would actuate the clutch and rotate the shaft and the spring when released would retract the clutch. 'I'he filter may also be cleaned by rotating the shaft I9 by hand. When the clutch member is arranged as shown in Fig. 3, this cleaning rotation would be made in 'a clockwise direction so that the balls or rollers would not bind on the hub.

In the form shown in Fig. 4 the plate 22n is connected by a link 40 to a piston 4I which has reciprocating motion in a cylinder 42 against a spring 43. The cylinder head 44 has an opening 45 to which the end of the pipe 32 -is attached. When the pressure is low in the pipe 32 the spring 43 holds the piston 4I against or toward V the head 44 in the position shown and the hub and shaft are free to be rotated manually in an anti-clockwise direction if desired. When the pressure rises to a point where the force of the spring is overcome'the piston moves toward the right and the lin 40 causes the plate 22n to rotate about the hub 2I when the one-way clutch action takes place and causes the cleaning movement of the shaft I9 as previously described.

When the pump pressure ceases to overcome the spring, the spring rotates the clutch clockwise without turning the filter shaft.

In the form shown in Fig. 5 having a band type clutch the hub secured to the shaft I9 is extended to form a cylindrical drum 2Ib which is surrounded by the strap or band 59. One end of this band is secured to a bearing post 5I fixed near the end nearer the drum 2Ib of a lever 52 which is hinged to the lever 49 at 53. The other end of the band is secured to a bearing post 94 xed to the lever 52 between the post 5I and the hinge 53. The lever 52 is constrained to move ln an anti-clockwise direction under Vthe bias of a spring 99. l

As long as the pressure is low in the cylinder 42 the parts remain in the position shown and the shaft and' drum are rotatable manually in an anti-clockwise direction within the band which is held loosely against the drum by the action of the spring 55.

When the pressure in the cylinder is increased sufficiently to move the piston .to the right, the link 40 moves the hinge 53 in an anti-clockwise direction about thevshaft I9 and contracts the band 59 into frictional engagement with the outer surface of the drum 2lb which occurs very shortly after the piston starts and during the remainder of the piston movement the shaft, drum and band are turned together in an anticlockwise direction. When the pressure is again reduced the piston moves to the left thus freeing the band from engagement with the drum, whereupon the shaft and drum remain in their advanced position and the band slips back around them until theV piston comes to rest and the lever 52 is returned to the position shown, ready for thev next cycle of operations. t

Fig. 6 illustrates a further modification of ratchet type clutch in which the hub 2I on the shaft has ratchet teeth formed on its periphery set to receive anti-clockwise impulses. The arm 90.1oosely mounted on shaft I9 is connected to link 40.

A springpressed pawl 9| is pivoted to the link and engages with the ratchet teeth on the hub. Under low pressure in the cylinder the parts remain as shown and the shaft may be rotated manually in an anti-clockwise direction, the pawl' slipping over the ratchet teeth.

When the pressurevis raised the piston moves to the right and the* link 99 rotates about the axis of the shaft I9 in an anti-clockwise direction carryingthe pawl and engaged ratchet hub, thereby rotating the shaft I9. When the pressure is again lowered the spring 43 moves the piston to the left and as the pawl slips over the ratchet teeth,`the hub and shaft are left in their advanced positions.

Fig. 7 illustrates another form utilizing a ratchet hub 2|, the teeth of which are engaged by a toothed rack 19, one end of which is loosely connected to the piston 4I". The rack and ratchet are held in engagement by spring pressed balls I3 mounted in recesses in the wall of the casing and acting against the rack 1I. Pressure in the cylinder raises the piston 4Id and rotates the ratchet and shaft. The weight of vthe piston (assisted by a spring if desired) returns the piston and vrack when pressure is released.

'I'he shaft maybe manually rotated in an anticlockwise direction during which the rack 'I9' will move away from the ratchet teeth on the hub.

In the form shown in Fig. 8 the shaft I9 has a ratchet 2Ie which is engaged by a spring pressed pawl 3| carried at one end of a lever 82. The opposite end of the lever is connected by a link such as 93 with the free end 94 of an expansible and collapsible chamber or bellows 95. 'I'he lever v92 is fulcrumed at some point such -as 86 to a fixed support 81 which may be suitably carried by the filter body.

The lower end of the bellows is secured to a fixed support 89 and has an opening in communi- 5 cation with the pressure pipe 32.

The sides of the bellows may be made of some resilient metal with annular corrugations which will permit the ends to move towards and from each other as the pressure in the pipe 32 de- 10 creases and increases, or the sides may be made of some other material such as rubber, fabric, leather or the like and have a spring under compression carried between the ends of the bellows to provide expanding and contracting actions.

15 With the device in this form an increase in the pressure in the pipe 32 causes the bellows to be expanded and the shaft |6 rotated clockwise.

When the pressure in the pipe 32 is again decreased the resilient member --between the ends 20 of the bellows causes the bellows to collapse and reverse the motion of the lever 82 and pawl 8| so that the pawl slips back over the teeth on the ratchet 2|e. In this form manual rotation of the shaft I6 may be effected in a clockwise 25 direction. f

Figs. 9 to 12 show details of a continuous flow hydraulic type of motor which may be interposed in any force feed circulating system and employed to rotate the cleaning device of the filter 30 by a step by step or intermittent action.

The short cylinder 90 has top and bottom plates 9| mounted on the shaft I6 which is the shaft of the rotatable member of the filter or geared to it. This shaft carriers the center part 92 of a one-way clutch the outer part 93 of which is mounted on the inner part and has a vane 94 capable of swinging back and forth in the cylinder. A valve box 95 is secured in the cylinder and fills in a segment of the space between the hub 93 and the rim or outer wall 96. The box 95 houses a toggle operated oscillating valve 91 which controls the direction of flow of the fluid which enters the cylinder at 98 and leaves at 99. The box has two valve portsv and |0| which 45 lead from the chamber |02 in the box 95 to the chamber |03 in the motor cylinder. The valve 91 has a chamber |04 which communicates by passage with the outlet 99 and alternately gaged by the vane 94 as it is forced around byl 55 the pressure of fluid in the cylinder.

The valve operating arm I0 has a hub pivoted on stud and a lug ||2 which fits a groove H3 in the valve 91. 'I'he other end of the valve is mounted on the hub of the arm l0.

60, The snapping-over spring I3 connects the pin I4 on the valve arm with the lug |5 on the toggle member. The inner face of the valve member slides back and forth over the ports |00 and |0| 6r so as to alternately/ admit the fluid pressure first o to one side of the vane 94 and then to the other as the valve is snapped back and forth by the toggle action. When port |00 is open into the chamber |02 and admitting power to move the vane in one direction, the other port |0| is open into the valve chamber |04 and exhausting from the other side of the vane to the outlet passages |05 and 99. The oscillating action may be limited by stops i I6.

It will be seen that this provides an intermittent action of the clutch and cleaner shaft derived from a continuous flow of uid.

It will thus be seen that we have provided mechanism which will positively and intermittently impart a rotating motion to the movable shaft of a filter applicable to the oil supply line or other liquid system of an' engine which is operated and controlled by the changes in pressure within a circulating system of the engine whereby the cleaning action of the filter is performed with sumcient frequency under the action of the engine or usual pump.

While this invention has been illustrated and described as actuated by changes in pressure in a water cooling system, it should be understood that other occasional changes in pressure resulting from the operation of the engine or its accessories might be utilized for the same purpose, by connecting the pipe 32 to other sources oi fluctuating positive pressure, such as a force feed oil lubricating system, an hydraulic brake system or an air brake system.

In such cases the pressure would act to move the piston or other actuating member and the clutch in one direction and the spring, suitably positioned and held in opposition thereto, would act to move the piston and turn the clutch in the opposite direction when the pressure falls to a point below the compressive strength of the spring.

The clutch action can be designed to move the shaft when the actuating member is being moved by the pressure and release the shaft when it is returned by the spring or vice versa.

Pressure can be intermittently provided or applied to the conduit 32 by action of the iluid operated or controlled brake pedal so that a cleaning action will take place whenever the brake is actuated. Similarly the clutch motor device 26 may be actuated by fluid power supplied for instance from hydraulic power transmission or from what are sometimes called air brake or hydraulic brake systems so that fluctuating pressure will actuate the clutch and thus clean the filter or supply clean ltering surfaces.

While the type of filter herein shown is greatly to be preferred for most cases, it should be understood that other forms of filters may be cleaned automatically as herein described, by rotation of a filtering member with respect to a cleaning member or vice versa, or by moving a clean lter element into position to replace one which has been in use.

We claim:

l. Motor lubricating means including a filter and means actuatedv by the cooling system for cleaning the lter.

2. A filter-construction for an internal combustion engine comprising a filter member, a cleaning member, one of said members being rotatable with respect to the other for cleaning the filter member, a casing enclosing the two members and having a head, with inlet and outlet passages for the liquid to be filtered, a fluid pressure operated device mounted on said head outside the casing, a shaft carried in said head connected to said rotatable member, a clutch mechanism adapted to turn said shaft in one direction only, a movable lelement in said device connected to said clutch mechanism and means for connecting said device with a fluid circulating system of the motor.

3. The combination of an internal combustion motor and a filter including a rotatable cleaning element and clutch mechanism adapted to be connected to the rotatable element of the lter, a pressure operated device having a movable element connected to the clutch mechanism and means connecting said device with a source of pressure which is responsive to changes in engine operation whereby the filter cleaning action is effected by changes in the pressure in said source.

4. Actuating mechanism for cleaning a filter for use in connection with internal combustion engines comprising clutch mechanism adapted to be connected to a rotatable shaft of the filter, a pressure operated device having a movable elef ment connected to the clutch mechanism and means connectingsaid device with a vsource of fluctuating pressure responsive to intermittent changes in engine operation whereby the lter cleaning action is effected by a substantial change in the pressure in said source.

5. Actuating mechanism for cleaning a filter for use in conjunction with a source of power comprising a clutch mechanism adapted to be connected to a movable part of the filter, a pressure operated device having a movable element connected to the clutch mechanism, and a means connecting said device with a source of pressure used in connection with said source of power as a cooling medium, whereby the filter cleaning action is effected by substantial changes in said source of pressure.

6. A filtering system for an internal combustion engine having a fluid cooling system including the combination of a filter having a cleaning means with a movable shaft and a pressure cooling system, clutch mechanism for actuating the filter shaft to present clean filter surfaces \for action, a pressure operated device connected to the clutch mechanism and means connecting said device with the cooling system whereby fluctuation in the pressure in the cooling system actuates the movable shaft ofthe filter.

'7. A filter system for an internal combustion motor comprising a filter having a shaft with cleaning means, a liquid coolingpump for the motor, and pressure actuated means connecting the pump and the filter shaft whereby changes in the pressure developed by the pump will clean the filter.

8. The combination with an internal combustion engine, of a filter, a casing, connections for the filter to the engine for nltering a uid used in connection with the engine, a motor in an end portion of the filter casing responsive to change in fluid pressure, a filter cleaning element driven by said motor, connections from said motor to another fluid circuit of the engine from that in which the filter is located, whereby changes in pressure of the last mentioned fluid circuit effect a cleaning of said filter.

CHARLES H. CUNO. PHILIP E. ASHTON. 

